McEnroe doubts Sharapova was unaware of meldonium ban

Tennis great John McEnroe finds it hard to believe that Maria Sharapova was unaware she was taking a banned drug that led to her suspension, the seven-times grand slam champion said on Saturday.

The player-turned-commentator weighed in on the recent news that Sharapova tested positive for a newly banned drug meldonium that went into effect on January 1.

"Would be hard to believe that no one in her camp, the 25 or 30 people that work for her, or Maria herself had no idea that this happened," McEnroe told the Tennis Channel Saturday during the BNP Paribas Open.

McEnroe noted that at the 1990 Australian Open he was ejected from a match after he did not realize a rule change that reduced a player's default from four steps to just three.

"Nobody told me, so it is possible that Maria did not know that, though it's extremely doubtful," he said.

MARIA SHARAPOVA THROUGH THE YEARS:

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Maria Sharapova through the years

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McEnroe doubts Sharapova was unaware of meldonium ban

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 07: Tennis player Maria Sharapova reacts as she addresses the media regarding a failed drug test at The LA Hotel Downtown on March 7, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Sharapova, a five-time major champion, is currently the 7th ranked player on the WTA tour. Sharapova, withdrew from this weekÂs BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells due to injury. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova of Russia gets set for a serve from Monica Seles during their match Thursday, March 7, 2002, in Indian Wells, Calif. Seles won the match 6-0, 6-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts after missing a shot during her semi-final match against Monica Seles of the United States in the Hong Kong Ladies Challenge tennis tournament in Hong Kong Friday, Jan. 3, 2003. Seles won 6-3, 6-0. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Russia's Maria Sharapova returns to Yugoslavia's Jelena Dokic, during their Women's Singles, third round match on the Number One Court, on the sixth day of the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, Saturday, June 28, 2003. Sharapova won the match 6-4, 6-4.(AP Photo/Dave Caulkin)

Russia's tennis player Maria Sharapova looks on during a press conference, Saturday Dec. 29, 2007, in Singapore where she will play against compatriot Anna Chakvetadze at an exhibition match on Sunday. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Maria Sharapova, of Russia, returns the ball against Daniela Hantuchova at the Pacific Life Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., Wednesday, March 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark Avery)

Maria Sharapova of Russia holds the trophy after the final match against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. Former No. 1-ranked Sharapova won her first tournament since returning from a 10-month injury layoff when Jankovic was forced to retire in the first set. Jankovic retired with an injured right arm trailing 5-2 in the first set. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Russia's Maria Sharapova waves to the public after defeating compatriot Ksenia Pervak during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Tuesday, May 25, 2010. (AP Photo/Laurent Baheux)

Professional tennis player Maria Sharapova watches the New Jersey Nets vs. the Charlotte Bobcats in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Monday, April 11, 2011 in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Maria Sharapova of the Manila Mavericks autographs large tennis balls of fans following her win over Kristina Mladenovic of the UAE Royals in their IPTL (International Premier Tennis League) Women's Singles match Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena at suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. The IPTL, featuring four teams, introduces a new format in tennis and a chance for a championship prize of $1-million dollars. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates after defeating Flavia Pennetta of Italy during their singles match at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

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Sharapova, 28, is facing a suspension of up to four years by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and has already lost numerous sponsorships in the aftermath.

McEnroe joked that Sharapova should only be banned for two years because she says she did it unknowingly.

"Lift the ban, there's no suspension if when she comes back she promises not to grunt," McEnroe added in jest. "If you don't grunt Maria, no suspension. If you continue to grunt, two years."